Walnut Tree – 798 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

John Jenkins was born about 1738 near Penypyllennig, his father Thomas was renting Daniel Simond’s land, by 1794 John Jenkins was occupying the land of Henry Simon.

In 1805 John Jenkins owns 2 acres 9 rood and 6 perches and is also renting from Mr Phillips 1 acre and 11 roods.

John Jenkins died in 1813, he leaves a widow, Elizabeth who remained at Walnut Tree still renting Henry Simons’ property and land.

In May 1819, William, son of John and Elizabeth Jenkins, married Ann Jones, their first child William is baptised in 1821.

On the 1841 tithe and census the owner of Walnut Tree is John Williams of Caerphilly, the occupier is William Jenkins, he is farming 36 acres 1 rood and 30 perches, paying £3 19s 3d tithe to the Rector.

In the census of 1841 William is aged 55, Ann his wife is 45, their children are John and Thomas both 20, Philip 17, Elizabeth 12, Walter 7 and James 6. Living with them is Elizabeth Neate a farm servant.

I can’t say for certain who was living at Walnut Tree in 1851, but by 1861 it was Daniel Tedman, a farmer of 38 acres, employing 2 men. Daniel was aged 50, His daughter Elizabeth was 17,  born in Llanarth and son Edward was 16, a farm servant.

Later in 1861 Rees Rees had taken occupancy of Walnut Tree. An illegitimate child, Hezekiah, was born to his daughter Mary, the father of the child was William Hall. Another daughter Amy had an illegitimate child in 1867, the father of Amy’s child was James Waite who later married Louisa Davies, (The Heroine of Goytre Well.)

In 1871 the Rector, the Rev Thomas Evans purchased Walnut Tree, Rees Rees moves along the road to Black Beech to farm and Daniel Tedman moves back in to Walnut Tree.

The 1871 census says Daniel Tedman, is 60, and is a farmer, his wife Ann is 66, their daughter Elizabeth had married John Roberts and they were living with them along with their 6 month old daughter Sarah. Two more grandchildren are living with them, Rachel Rees 4 and Rachel Tedman 1.

At the trial of the Vicar and the Well in 1874 held at Monmouth Assizes, one of the witnesses, William Jenkins said his father was one time tenant of Walnut Tree and had left the premises in 1843, having lived there for 70 years. He stated he had known the place for 40 years. (William Jenkins was now living at Hay Meadow.)

Daniel Tedman remains at Walnut Tree and the 1881 census says he is 71 and was born in Llanarth, Ann his wife was born in Clytha.

I think shortly afterwards Daniel and his family had left as in 1882 Thomas Rees was constable for Walnut Tree. Thomas Rees and his family are still there in 1891, Thomas is aged 39, a farmer born in Llanellen, his wife Margaret is 40 from Monkswood, their children are Thomas 14, William 11, Margaret 9, Reginald 6, Laura 2 and Catherine 2 months. They have two farm servants living with them, John Compton 19, and Fanny Twyne from Blaenavon.

In 1901 Thomas Rees died aged 50 and was buried in St Peter’s Churchyard.

The 1911 census says the new family is one Thomas Jones aged 56, a farmer born in Cloddock, Ann, his wife is also 56, she was born in Crickhowell, they had been married 22 years and have 5 children, all alive, three of which are still living at home, Emily 28 assisting with dairywork, was born in Cloddock, Philip 24,is a farmer’s son working on the farm, and Katie 22, is doing domestic work, both were born in Glascoed. Ann’s father Henry Jones is also living with them; he is aged 78 and was born in Talgarth.

Henry died in 1915 was buried at St Peter’s. Thomas Jones died in June 1915 aged 64, daughter Katie died in November the same year aged 30, both were buried in St Peter’s Churchyard.

In November 1920 The Earl of Abergavenny held a sale of his Goytre properties, lots 30, 33 and 34 were Walnut Tree and Hawthorn Cottage. Philip Jones purchased the Walnut Tree for £290.

On the 1921 census two properties are mentioned, the Bungalow in which 66 year old Ann Jones was living, Ann was born n Llanelly she gives her occupation as a retired farmer.

At Walnut Tree Farm is Philip Jones, 33 a farmer who was born in Glascoed, his wife is Amelia, 33, born in Llanover, son Donald 1, born in Goytre, they have a general domestic servant Eveline James 25, Eveline was born in Goytre.

In March 1925 Walter Jenkins aged 91 died, he was born at Walnut Tree on the 29^th October 1833.

I have an article from the Free Press which is not dated (my fault) in which a cow valued at 70 guineas belonging to Mr W Jones of Walnut Tree Farm was hit by lightning, fortunately the cow was insured with Mr William Lewis of Wainfelin.

Ann Jones the wife of Thomas died in October 1936. (Full report in obituaries.) She was still living at Walnut Tree with her son Philip and his wife Amelia, who is still shown on the Electoral register on her own in 1946 and Philip Jones is shown on his own in 1948.

The following was sent to me by a lovely lady called Gwyneth Stratton who’s Jones family came to Goytre in the late 1800’s. Although they moved around the parish they finally settled at 1 Park View. Gwyneth’s nephew Gerald Jones married my cousin Judith Lewis (Bonnie) at Saron Chapel.

WILLIAM AND ANNIE JONES

William and Annie were married at the Ebenzer Baptist Chapel in Griffithstown, Pontypool on 6.9.1895.

Their first home was at Coalbrook Cottage (Farm Cottage, Coalbrook, Goytre) (No photographs found). They then moved in 1901, after the birth of their son Henry, to Parc Bach, Canal Lane, Goytre. This was after it was vacated by Annie’s sister Hannah and husband Louis.

This was a very small cottage consisting of a tiny living room, even tinier kitchen. Upstairs had a main bedroom and an adjoining landing which was used as a bedroom for the girls. The boys slept in the loft over the outside bakehouse. Water was fetched from a spring some 100yds from house.

The front porch was added at a later date. Originally the entrance was at the rear of the cottage.

Goytrey School. 1912

Built in 1870 funded by Col Byrdd at a cost of £600. There was one classroom with separate entrances and play areas for boys and girls. A cottage was provided for the head teacher alongside the school building. Over the years some 15 members of our family attended this school. A new building was erected in the 1950’s and the old school is now a private house.

Ellen and Gertrude are on this photograph. Gertrude is 4^th from left on 1^st standing row, Nell-6^th from left on 2^nd row.

Free schooling only became compulsory after an Act of Parliament in 1870.

William, with son Arthur, on the milk round in Pontypool. Note the name on the cart: GlanUsk Dairy. When Grandad died in 1912 Annie had to sell this equipment as her sole source of income.

The front of 1 Park View. This was taken shortly after the new road was built. Speak to any of the cousins and they will all remember the steep steps up to the front door- which was hardly ever used.

In 1911 the Jones family moved to 1 Park View, a recently built pair of cottages belonging to the Thomas family. Here there was room at the back for a double stable to accommodate William’s horse and milk cart. Just across the road was the Carpenters Arms which caused much friction between Annie and William. For some time William had been a heavy drinker which no doubt contributed to him developing ‘Dropsy’ (now known as Oedema, a heart condition causing swelling of the body) and which subsequently led to his death at the age of 40 on 27th June 1912, leaving Annie with seven children one of whom was a mere baby.

IN MOURNING JUNE 1912.

Back: Henry and Ellen.  Front: Minnie, Arthur, Annie, Gertrude and Lillian.  Seated at Annie’s knee: William Jnr.

Life for Annie and her children was traumatic at this time. There was no Widow’s pensions and the thought of ‘being on the Parish’ was not even considered. A request for some financial help was made but when Annie was told by the Inspector that she should send her daughters out to service and put the younger ones into care she picked up her broom and sent the poor man about his business. She took on the job of cleaner for the village school which involved much scrubbing of stone floors-daughter Ellen helped and she showed her children in later years the scars on her knees where she had helped out.

To earn an extra 1/- (10p) Annie would go to houses where someone had died to lay them our ready for burial. Her one proviso was that if it was a nighttime call she insisted that someone fetched and returned her after her work was done. All her life Annie had been frightened of the dark.

Lillian and Minnie went into Service while Ellen took on the job of collecting the mail from Jackson’s shop in the village and taking it by bicycle to catch the 4.30 train.

In October 1913 or 17? Annie went on her own to Bristol. This is borne out on a postcard provided by Pam, Ellen’s daughter. It is rumoured that she went to give birth to a child that was adopted. This has yet to be confirmed. We can only assume that the children had been left to be cared for by older siblings and possibly their Aunts Minnie and Hannah who lived locally.

The 1914-18 War had little effect on the family-the boys were all too young for being called up for active service. The sad toll on human life was not as great as in the cities, although the Memorial plaques in the church record a number of losses. The biggest long term effect effect was in the social hierarchy and the fact that the upheavals caused by the war were the catalyst for a major breakdown in the old order of life. This was not so apparent in rural communities where life followed a day to day regular pattern.

LILLIAN.

I cannot locate any date for Lillian’s birth although believe it be about May or June 1896.

She, like so many young women left home aged about 14/15 years of age and went into service where she was trained as a cook.

ELLEN.

At some point in 1917 Ellen left home and returned to her Mother’s birthplace, Brislington, Bristol where she obtained work in a dairy called Grange owned by the Morris family and lodged at 12, Sandown Road. There is a record of other members of the Cousin’s family living a 1, Manworthy Road, Brislington. (These could be traced on the National Census records-1911.)

GERTRUDE

In 1917, at the age of twelve Annie’s daughter, Gertrude, was sent some distance away (I can find no trace of just where but according to Gertrude it was to a wealthier member of the family who lived in a large farmhouse and where a number of servants were employed. She was employed to help with the dairy work. Having been told to ‘babysit’ the baby daughter of the family one evening when everyone else, including the staff, went to a Harvest Supper, Gertrude was told to close all the outside wooden shutters on the windows. Gertrude did as she was told despite being absolutely terrified of being in the house and outside in the dark. Early next morning she packed her belonging and set off to walk home arriving at 1 Park View in the late afternoon. The exhausted child was tired, hungry and frightened and fortunately her mother listened to her sad tale. Realising that Gertrude had been unfairly treated a message was sent to notify her employers as to her whereabouts. Her mother told her that she had to return and finish her year but once that was completed she could come home and another place would be found for her. Annie accompanied Gertrude back to the farm and had some very stiff words with the housekeeper and Gertrude was never asked to do anything like this during her remaining time there.

There is no record of what occupations Henry and Arthur followed and we have no dates as to when they left home. Arthur, it is believed, spent time with a Guards Regiment in London but I can find no trace of this as yet. This left William Jr. aged 17 at home.

Lillian and Thomas Morris

Married: ?   Children: Margaret Ann (Peggy)b. d.

Minnie and William Griffiths.  Children:  Joan b. ?,  Mary b. ?

Henry m Doris ?     No Children

Arthur. m Violet?  Children: Lawrence (Adopted).

Ellen and Arthur Cottle, m. 14.8.1926.
Children:  Jean b. ?   Pamela b. ?

William and Elsie (Shutt) m. 1933.
Children:  Cedric Anthony b. Mar 1934 d. 9.1.2015, Gerald b 1939.

Gertrude and Stanley (Bob) Hayes 28.5.1925.
Children:  Stanley William b. 20.4.1926,  Edna Gertrude b.1928 d.Sep 1929, Gwyneth Marjorie b. 12.1.1934

No pictures available of Joan and Mary Griffiths

Grandchildren-1939

Back: Stanley Hayes, Jean Cottle. Front: Gwyneth Hayes, Cedric Jones, Pamela Cottle. (In Edgar’s Field).

Margaret (Peggy Morris) with Edgar Thomas.

EDGAR THOMAS B 1878: As children we accepted the idea that Edgar was Nanny’s lodger. He was a bit of a rough diamond but looked on all of us as his own relatives.We all can recall going with him to feed his pig’s in ‘Edgar’s’ field and riding in the old cart he kept for many years. He could neither read not write apart from signing his name and I don’t think any of us truly appreciated his worth. Little was known about his background. Searches turned up a few surprises:

1920’s. On the yard outside 1 Park View.

1851 Census shows: James Thomas, Master Blacksmith. Born 1805 married to Sarah born 1810. They had 7 children one of whom was Edgar’s father Alfred. Born 1846.

1881 Census shows Alfred. General labourer married to Emma, Turnpike Toll Collector, at Llanellen. They had 4 children among whom was Edgar, born 1878 (and Edith-more of her in a moment).

1901 Census shows Edgar as a blacksmith at Penpellryw 2. (wonder if this was a spelling mistake?) Monmouthshire.

1911 Census shows: Edgar Thomas, aged 34. Single. Blacksmith living at Lynwood Cottage. Goytrey. Nr Pontypool.

From now on it will be pure supposition-until the next census for 1921 is released.

1 and 2 Park View were built in about 1905 and were the property of Edgar’s father, Alfred, who lived in a cottage in Newtown, Goytrey. Edgar’s sister Edith who married George Sexton in 1902 moved into No 2 Park View. William and Annie Jones moved to No. 1 Park View in 1911. After Grandfather William’s death in 1912 Annie had to make provision for her children and it is very likely that Edgar moved in as her lodger. Again this will be checked out in 1921. In actual fact roles were reversed and Nanny became the lodger and housekeeper to Edgar?? Had Edgar had his way he and Nanny would have married-he did ask her three times but was turned down.

The census of 1921 says the Jones family are at No.2 Park View, but I shall enter them here.

Annie Jones is a 47 year old widow from Brislington, living with her are Gertrude 16, doing general domestic work, Arthur 13, a labourer in market gardens at Nantyderry, William 8, Harry 20, an out of work cattleman on farm for Pritchards, all born in Goytre and Edgar Thomas 43 from Lanvair Kilgeddin a blacksmith.

Photo: A very special and dear lady, ANNIE JONES. On her 80^th Birthday in 1952, Seated in the yard at No 1 Park View.

Nanny’s children:  Harry, Gertrude, Arthur, Nell, Billy, Minnie, Lillian.

This is probably the last photograph taken when they were all together.

Family Funeral for Nanny 1956.

Service at Saron Chapel.

Back: Arthur, Edgar, Gerald, Billy, Elsie, Harold. Front:  Gertrude, Minnie, Ellen.

None of us ever had occasion to tell Nanny Jones how much she meant to all her family, it is only now, after many years having walked down memory lane do we realise what a large part she played in our lives. What a legacy she left us, such treasured memories of a time, long past, when the world was a more innocent place.

R.I.P

Edgar’s Field

To anyone else this was just a field housing a pig sty, hen house and occasionally young heifers but to all of us children it was a delightful playground where Kingcups and Watercress flourished in the marshy lower part, and the upper field was filled with all the old fashioned meadow flowers. It was here we picnicked en famille. Collecting eggs from the hen house was a favourite pastime-being careful not to get pecked by an irate chicken.

The pigs were smelly but we still loved going with Edgar to feed the porkers.

The view from the railway bridge in Goytre.

It was magical to stand there and watch the steam trains coming along the line to Pontypool. As the train went under the bridge we would be wrapped in a pungent sulphuric cloud. The drivers would sound their whistles in answer to our waving-very ‘The Railway children’. Stanley and I did this in 2006-a very nostalgic moment although modern trains do not have the same glamour.

Saron Chapel

Where William and Annie were buried as was William (Billy) Hannah and Louis and two of their children are interred here.

Gerald and Bonny were married here.

Goytre Canal Bridge.

Until the canal was opened up for barges the water was crystal clear and we could see all the plant and wildlife therein. We spent many happy hours fishing for minnows, watching the water boatmen beetles scuttling across the water, watching the shimmering dragon flies dancing over the water plants and, on rare occasions, seeing the flash of blue and green as a Kingfisher flew between the banks. A child’s paradise and a precious memory.

Picture taken in 2006 when Stanley and I had a very nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Arrow Cottage, Newtown Road, Goytre – my home from 1949-1955.

A public footpath ran along the side of the drive leading to the fields and then on to the Chapel Ed Lane. Behind Arrow Cottage was a tiny little cottage called ‘Nutshell Cottage’ – this was Cedric’s home when he was little. This picture was taken in 2006 but it didn’t look much different in my day.

Sadly the beautiful flower meadows behind The Nutshell have vanished into urban sprawl!

Goytre Wharf.

When we were young the canal and wharf were no longer in use and the wharf itself fell into disrepair. To us children it was a wild place full of brambles, stinging nettles, crumbling buildings including a ‘mysterious’ derelict cottage-lovely for scary games of hide and seek.

The Canal Company have done a splendid job bringing the place back to life – well worth a visit.

Abergavenny indoor market place.

Behind this stood the Cattle Market where weekly sales were held. Cattle, sheep and pigs were auctioned as farmers from all around the area came to do their deals whilst their wives caught up with shopping and gossip – it was all hustle and bustle. Vegetables, fruit, poultry, clothing-by three o’clock all would fall silent as everyone went home.

Nanny’s favourite lunchtime snack from market café:-Faggot and peas.

1 Park View in 2006.

Stanley and I had the pleasure of being invited in and were so happy to see that the old house has been lovingly and carefully refurbished to a very high standard.

Rose Cottage Nantyderry – 894 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

The 1841 tithe says Rose Cottage is 23 perches and owned by the Rev. William Morgan of Pontypool. On the census of the same year John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth both aged 50 are the occupiers.

Ten years later John Edwards says he is 56, a farmer of 20 acres, Elizabeth his wife is also 56 and living with them is their son William 22, they were all born in Goytre.

In 1852 the owner is Ann Morgan, daughter of the Rev William Morgan.

In December 1855 John Edwards horse was stabbed to death by an unknown person, the story is in the Monmouthshire Merlin.

I’m not quite sure who was at Rose Cottage in 1861, but by 1871 William Jones and his family were in residence. William was aged 65, a builder, Mary his wife was 58 and their son William was 26, a plasterer he was born in Llanover. 

By 1874 their son William had married Georgina, and their son William Henry was baptised in February of that year at St Peter’s. On the baptism register it is says he was a shopkeeper in Nantyderry Village.

William the elder died sometime between 1871 and 1881, Mary said she was a widow on the 1881 census, she also said she was an annuitant and was born in Ireland, living with her as a boarder was Henry Neate aged 15.

In 1886 William Jones from Rose Cottage appeared at the meeting for a welsh speaking vicar for St Peter’s Church but he did not appear at the second meeting held on the 14^th March 1887. His mother Mary died in 1887 and was buried at St Peter’s, she was 74 years old.

On the 1901 census William is aged 58, a tiler and plasterer again, Georgina is also 58 and it says she was born in Govilon.

By 1910 William has purchased Rose Cottage, the rateable value for the property is £4 5s. 

On the 1911 census William is aged 68, Georgina is 63, they had been married for 38 years and had one child, at that time Rose Cottage had five rooms.

Georgina died in May 1913 and was buried at St Peter’s, William died in January 1929 aged 86.

The census in 1921 gives George Taylor as the occupier, along with his sister Eliza Ann. George is 63 a plasterer for trustees of Llanover estate, Eliza Ann is 52, both were born in Llanover.

The electoral register of 1933 says Stanley and Edith Williams were in residence at Rose Tree (sic) Cottage.

Dan-y-graig – 55 on the 1841 Tithe Map.

Dan-y-graig, like so many properties is no longer in Goytre, it is now in the parish of Llanover. It was also known as Yew Tree Farm.

On May 24^th 1660 Roger Morgan of Mamhilad and his son William purchased Tre-y-g-dee for £30, the property had a holding of 4 acres and 3 rood. Rosser (Roger) Morgan, yeoman and Oliver his son still hold thee house and land in 1666.

There is now a big gap where I can’t find any documents until 1727 when a child Isaac, son of Isaac was baptised in April at St Peter’s, this is followed by twins in 1732, one again called Isaac, although I can’t find a burial I assume the first Isaac died.

Release of the property was mentioned in 1732 to William James of Bristol, brother of Isaac, they were the sons of James James. In May 1744 Isaac James takes the lease.

In 1745 David Morgan was the constable for Dan-y-graig, at some point around this time the lease goes to James James who was overseer of the poor in 1766, the previous year he was surveyor of the highways for his farm.

James James died in 1787. In his will he mentions his wife Elizabeth, son Edward and daughter Elizabeth. (Edward married Rachel Jenkins in August 1792)

In 1790 William James of Wandsworth, yeoman, son and heir of James James Goytre by Elizabeth his wife sold Dan-y-graig to Solomon Jones of Llantilio Pertholey. The same year Solomon leased Dan-y-criag to John Mathews. The overseer of the poor in 1795 says John Mathews is living at the late James James’s land. In 1817 John Mathews married Mary Prosser at St Peter’s.

In 1818 Dan-y-graig was mortgaged by William Jones of Goytre. He was the son and heir of William Jones by Esther his wife, she was the daughter of Thomas Jones of Goytre by Jane his wife. William Jones took a mortgage loan for £100 from Richard Thomas of Brecon, it was named as Tyr-y-Craig, a property of 12 acres.

William Jones took a further charge of £30 on his mortgage in 1822 and again in 1824, he now owes a total of £300 to Richard Thomas of Llangenny Brecon. Another charge was made in 1828 for £60, on this document it says he is a shopkeeper in Abergavenny. William Jones finally sold Dan-y-graig in 1829 for £600.

The 1841 tithe says the owner is Elizabeth Morgan holding 40 acres 1 rood and 32 perches, paying the rector £4 9s. The lease is held by Vaughan Jones, Danygraig was not occupied on the 1841 census, by the 1851 census Vaughan Jones is the occupier.

In 1864 Richard Pruett (the local stonemason, who built amongst other places Machine House at the wharf) purchased Dan-y-graig, taking a mortgage of £450 from David Morgan.

Charles Williams was renting the house and land as tenant in 1871, he was aged 38 and a farmer of 40 acres, Elizabeth his wife is 38 and their children are Eva 10, Edward 8, Elizabeth 6, Mary 4, Charles 1 and Sarah 4 months.

That same year, 1871, Richard Pruett sold Dan-y-graig to George Watkins for £755.  The same year George Watkins died. 

On the 1891 census Daniel Watkins and his family are the occupiers, he is a farmer, both he and his wife Elizabeth are 28 years old, they have a one month old daughter called Mabel.

The chief rent of £1 15s was transferred to Lady Llanover in 1895 when Ann Watkins sold Dan-y-graig to Lady Llanover. Josiah Lewis took the tenancy in 1895,.